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:: Marissa Ronca
- The Interview ::
Marissa Ronca was one of the
first people to board the ship bound for Guatemala. She is to thank
for convincing us to shoot in the area
where she grew up. Not only is she fearless (sneaking us past the
ticket booth to "The Land Of Little Horses" like a pro),
her calm
demeanor sets everyone at ease...everyone that is, except for the
old man at Williams Grove....read on...
  
Q:
When Todd asked you to produce this film, which word best describes
why you decided to take on the job
and why: Pity, Charity, Boredom.
A: Stupidity...as I recall I told
you I had never produced a feature and had no idea what to do and
you said "who
cares...want to produce it anyway?"
Q: You intorduced us to your hometown
of Dillsburg by showing off some of the best nearby attractions
--
Three Mile island, Williams Grove Amusement Park/Dirt Track, The
Silo House. Did you know you were growing up in a goldmine?
A: Growing up, I never heard anyone
refer to it as a goldmine. But going back for the shoot did make
me feel there were some nuggets of gold I may have overlooked
in my youth.
Q:
Tell us the story about the owner of Williams Grove...the
whole shaking hands bit and the other golden moments you had
with him.
A: I couldn't get close enough
to have any golden moments with him. He was too deaf to hear me,
and phobic about germs so he wouldn't shake my hand.
Q: When you first met Director of
Photography Richie Sherman he had a big wintertime beard. I think
you said he was "creepy"...but maybe I'm remembering
that wrong. What were your impressions of him?
A: Todd, that's mean. I don't remember
referring to Richie's beard as creepy, although it was rather
scraggly and unkempt as I recall. Kind of like how I think people
wore beards during the Civil War. It was SO uncool, it WAS cool....and
I had immediate respect for him because of that beard.
Q:
Who did you feel you bonded with the most on this shoot?
A: Sage and Jim because we shared
a bathroom and had late night talks. Charlie Cline because...well,
I'm not really sure why but I did feel a sort of bond.
Q: What about Jeff Hemphill?
A: Jeff and I really bonded at
the skating rink. We both like horror movies and I'm interested
in Yeti's which is kind of Jeff's area of expertise. He's great.
Q:
What was the scariest moment of the shoot?
A: That's easy...watching the Amphicar
sink.
Q: If the answer above has nothing
to do with the Amphicar, please tell the Amphicar story. Remember
to include your impression of that drunk lady.
A: After a short, glorious ride
on the river the Amphicar got stuck on some rocks, and eventually
filled with water
and sank after a portly river rescue diver upended it with his sheer
bear strength. It took 8 hours to get it out
of there. I can't remember the comments of that one drunk bystander
but I do know that Dylan captured the whole
thing on tape.
Q:
I think only three people said no to you on this shoot. It
seems that any stranger immediately loves you and gives you
anything you want. What was the biggest success you pulled
off on this movie?
A: Wow...thanks, Todd. I'm was
most proud and relieved when Knoebel's Amusement Park came on board.
Those guys were great and they allowed us to shoot throughout their
park, multiple days, for absolutely free.
Q:
Who were some of the generous people that helped with the shoot
that none of us knew before we started this thing?
A: There were many, many, many
generous people. So many I could never name them all, but the
first who come to mind are Connie Blieler, Amy Hatfield, and the
Steelton Police Department.
Q:
Who was the strangest person on the set?
A: I wasn't on the set that much,
so lots of people struck me as strange...mainly Andy Nadler and
Craig Moorhead though.
Q:
Jim & Sage...what's the deal with those two?
A: They're the red-hottest couple
I know....physically, emotionally, and sexually. (Jim told me to
write that)
Q: How did you feel about the final
casting? Do you think the film would have been better or worse
with Don Knotts, Paul Reubens or Piper Perabo?
A: Everyone was perfect. If Piper
was in the film it would have gone straight to video. With Don
Knotts it would have been an instant classic. and with Reubens,
the set would have been totally unsafe for all our beloved child
actors.
Q:
Would you ever do this again? Even if I begged you?
A: As a friend, I think you'd be
better off hiring a producer with rich parents or grandparents
or old money or some money. But if you don't care about money,
and promise not to schedule meetings during The Inferno, and put
at least 1 butt in the movie I would consider it.
Q:
What did you take away from this shoot that's different from
any of the other giant-budget Discovery, Court TV
and TLC shows we're all used to doing?
A: Well, unlike the giant-budget,
high profile, award winning projects we usually work on, GH taught
me how to stretch a buck, beg for things you need, rely on the
kindness of strangers, and kill a bee's nest with fire.
Q:
Can we give a shout-out to your Dad, Mom, Brian, your brother and
former neighors here?
A: Hell yeah...big shout outs to
Dad and Deb for letting like 15 smelly people live in their house,
Mom & Bryan for helping me find our leading dog, Matt for
proudly rocking the GH shirt around Philly, and John & Deb
Flanagan for letting me run amuck on their farm for over 10 years
now! Also a big shout out to Yuengling for providing our crew
with cold, PA brewed beer.
Q:
Who should I interview next and why?
A: Sage....because not only is she
one half of the dynamic duo we all know and love but she's also
pretty damn cool by herself.

END
2.08.05
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